Russian bombing in Syria is only strengthening Islamic State – Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama has said at the press conference in the White House, that the Russian bombing campaign in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad is driving moderate opposition underground and "only strengthening" Islamic State.

"From their [Russia's] perspective, they're all terrorists. And that's a recipe for disaster. The problem here is Assad and the brutality that he's inflicted on the Syrian people, and it has to stop," Mr Obama said at a White House news conference. We're not going to co-operate with a Russian campaign to destroy anyone who is disgusted and fed up with Assad," Obama added. Read also:Hollande lays down three conditions to Putin on Syria, - Reuters

Barack Obama said he rejected the Russian assertion that all armed opponents of the "brutal" Mr Assad were terrorists. Moscow insists its air strikes - which began on Wednesday - are targeting IS. But the Syrian opposition and others have suggested non-IS rebels are bearing the brunt of Russian attacks.

"A military solution alone, an attempt by Russia and Iran to prop up Assad and try to pacify the population is just going to get them stuck in a quagmire. It won't work. They will be there for a while if they don't take a different course," Obama concluded.

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